A Tucson man who killed a father of two in a drunken-driving crash last fall apologized Monday, saying he has a hard time waking up every morning knowing he's caused his victim's family so much pain.
Ryan Membrila was sentenced to 10 1/2 years Monday by Pima County Superior Court Judge Javier Chon-Lopez. Membrila pleaded guilty last month to manslaughter and aggravated driving under the influence.
Membrila was almost 20 and waiting for his first DUI case to go to trial when he killed Gabriel Enriquez, 31, on Sept. 20, 2011.
That day Enriquez was with a friend on Interstate 10 near Congress Street when their car stalled, according to court documents.
The driver, Joe Soto, pulled over and left to buy gas after 20 minutes of trying to restart the car.
Enriquez was walking behind the car talking on his cellphone when police say Membrila entered the emergency lane and hit Enriquez and Soto's car. Enriquez was killed, and Membrila, who had twice the legal limit of alcohol in his system, suffered a broken jaw.
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Arizona Department of Public Safety officers estimated Membrila entered the emergency lane at 81 to 90 mph, but Assistant Pima County Public Defender Walter Palser said Monday an accident reconstruction expert hired by his office believes Membrila was only going 63 mph.
Family members asked the judge to impose the maximum 21-year sentence.
Membrila will have to have an ignition interlock device on his car for two years after his release. Such devices prevent vehicles from starting if a breath sample shows intoxication.
A dozen deputies and corrections officers were in the courtroom during the proceeding because the two families had exchanged words before its start.
After the sentencing, the families were escorted out of the courtroom and courthouse separately.
Contact reporter Kim Smith at 573-4241 or kimsmith@azstarnet.com
